Abstract: A multi-media interactive play system has a number of play elements situated in a variety of play environments or play media. The play elements are linked to a common record of participant performance, progress, character attributes, etc. The participant's performance in the play elements determines the play elements to which the participant may proceed as well as the play parameters of the play element in which the participant is currently involved. The play elements are thus interlinked to define a sequence or path network along which the participant advances. By advancing through the play elements the participant carries out a plot, story, theme, etc. that attaches a significance to the successful completion of a given play element or elements. Also disclosed in a variety of play elements suitable for use in the system, an example of a plot or theme that may be carried out by the system, and a send/receive radio frequency network that may be used to track play participants in a play center.

Abstract: An actuator arrangement for the axial displacement of an actuation member by means of a drive force which is generated by an electric machine, in particular for a shift-clutch arrangement of a multi-step gear change transmission. The actuation member is mounted axially displaceably on a rotary shaft. The electric machine has a stator fixed to a housing and a rotor which is coupled to the actuation member and is arranged coaxially with respect to the actuation member. The rotor is coupled to the actuation member with a form fit in the axial direction. Here, the rotor or the actuation member has a radial projection which engages into a radial groove of the other part.

Abstract: A coil spring forming apparatus including a core bar 2 which rotates around an axis thereof and on which a wire material W fed from a wire material-feeding means is wound; a clamping portion 22 which rotates integrally with the core bar 2 and grips an end of the wire material W on the core bar 2; and first guide rollers 30 and second guide rollers 40 for guiding the wire material W onto the core bar 2; wherein the first guide rollers 30 and the second guide rollers 40 are provided so as to move independently from each other in parallel with the axis of the core bar 2, and a coil spring formed by the above coil spring forming apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed are a hydrogel dressing for covering or treating a wound and a method for preparing the same. The hydrogel dressing includes a matrix structure of a cross-linked mixture, and an elastic sheet coated with an elementary metal or ionic metal embodied in the matrix structure. The mixture comprises a hydrophilic polymer, about 0.5 to about 5 wt % of a photocatalyst agent and at least 80 wt % of water based on the total weight of the mixture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to processing calls to busy telecommunications lines. In one embodiment, the presence of a subscriber accessing a computer network over a first telephone line via a first computer terminal is detected, wherein the subscriber also has a first telephone station connected to the first line. When a caller calls the first line and the first line is busy, the call is forwarded to a second telephone line associated with a call manager system. The call manager system determines when the subscriber is no longer accessing the computer network. At least partly in response to determining that the subscriber is no longer accessing the computer network, the call manager system transmits a text message to the caller, the message including the subscriber's phone number. The caller can then call back the first line using the transmitted phone number.

Abstract: Embodiments of the use case-based management system enable non-technical users to manage devices, resources, and services that are remote to the premises where their integrated system management devices, applications, or appliances are located. This permits users to subscribe to remote voice, data, and other services without having to first configure their local equipment to ensure proper acceptance of these services. The users can simply select the desired remote services in the use case-based management system, enter a minimum amount of non-technical information such as account information provided by the service provider, and enable the service. The use case-based management system automatically creates generalized system management requests and passes them externally to the proper remote service, resource, or device managers, which then translate and broker these requests into proper low-level commands.

Abstract: A computer method and device for intercepting contracting client's sent electronic messages, scanning the message body content for key words, sending the key words to a remote central computer server which analyses the key words and enhances the message by attaching a relevant, contextual advertising tag line or image/banner/words/HTML/Flash, etc. to the electronic message, and transmitting the enhanced message to a receiver.

Abstract: A device and method for treating an occluded infection collection along the digestive tract with a stent delivered to an appendix, diverticulum or other anatomical structure of the digestive tract. A device and method to remove an obstruction from an occluded infection collection along the digestive tract with an obstruction removal device delivered to an appendix, diverticulum or other anatomical structure of the digestive tract.

Abstract: High density-information storage is accomplished by the use of novel, near-field optical devices in combination with high-density storage media. The near-field optical devices are configured to focus light to nanoscale spot sizes and may employ negative index of refraction materials for focusing. The high-density storage media may include protein-based storage media, such as photochromic proteins, and high-coercivity magnetic storage media. Light energy provided the optical devices may enable exposed protein molecules to transition between stable molecular states that may be distinguished on the basis of their respective spectral maxima. Light energy provided by the optical device may also be used to heat localized regions of magnetic media to a selected temperature, effecting local changes in coercivity of the magnetic media.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the depth of focus of the human eye is comprised of a lens body, an optic in the lens body configured to produce light interference, and a pinhole-like optical aperture substantially in the center of the optic. The optic may be configured to produce light scattering or composed of a light reflective material. Alternatively, the optic may increase the depth of focus via a combination of light interference, light scattering, light reflection and/or light absorption. The optic may also be configured as a series of concentric circles, a weave, a pattern of particles, or a pattern of curvatures. One method involves screening a patient for an ophthalmic lens using a pinhole screening device in the lens to increase the patient's depth of focus. Another method comprises surgically implanting a mask in the patient's eye to increase the depth of focus.

Abstract: A transmission having a plurality of tilting balls and opposing input and output discs provides an infinite number of speed combinations over its transmission ratio range. The transmission provides multiple powerpaths and can be combined with electrical components to provide motor/generator functionality, which reduces the overall size and complexity of the motor and transmission compared to when they are constructed separately. In one embodiment, rotatable components of a continuously variable transmission are coupled separately to an electrical rotor and to an electrical stator so that the rotor and stator rotate simultaneously in opposite directions relative to one another. In other embodiments, an electrical rotor is configured to transfer torque to or from a disc that is in contact with a plurality of speed adjusters, while an electrical stator is configured to transfer torque to a shaft that is operationally coupled to the speed adjusters via an idler.

Abstract: A reading method for a memory device with error-correcting encoding envisages the steps of: carrying out a first reading of a plurality of memory locations (A0, A1, . . . , ALS-1) to generate a first recovered string (S1), and performing a first decoding attempt using the first recovered string (S1). When the first decoding attempt fails, the memory locations are read at least one second time, and at least one second recovered string (S2-SN) is generated. On the basis of a comparison between the first recovered string (S1) and the second recovered string (S2-SN), a modified string (SM) is generated, in which erasures (X) are located, and at least one second decoding attempt is carried out using the modified string (SM).

Abstract: A damper for a bicycle having a primary unit and a remote unit that, in some arrangements, is substantially entirely outside of the primary unit. The primary unit includes a damper tube, a spring chamber, and a piston rod that supports a main piston. The main piston is movable within the damper chamber of the primary unit. The main piston and the damper tube at least partially define a compression chamber. The remote unit comprises a remote fluid chamber and, in some arrangements, an inertial valve within the remote unit. The inertial valve is preferably responsive to terrain-induced forces and preferably not responsive to rider-induced forces when the shock absorber is assembled to the bicycle.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method for promoting spinal fusion using a spinal implant comprises providing a spinal implant, wherein the spinal implant comprises an anterior wall, a posterior wall and two lateral walls configured to extend between the anterior wall and the posterior wall. In some embodiments, the spinal implant further comprises at least one internal chamber generally positioned between the anterior wall, the posterior wall and the two lateral walls, wherein the internal chamber being is adapted to receive at least one graft and/or other fill material. In some arrangements, the anterior wall of the spinal implant comprises at least one opening or hole that places the internal chamber in fluid communication with an exterior area or portion of the spinal implant. In one embodiment, at least one of the two lateral walls comprises an access port.

Abstract: A fuel cell system and a method for controlling the same corrects concentration sensing values by estimating temperature according to the load amount of a stack. A control method of a fuel cell system including the steps of: measuring the load amount of loads supplied with power from a stack; estimating temperatures at the area where a concentration sensor is installed from the load amount values; producing the corrected concentrations by correcting the concentration sensing values according to the estimated temperatures; and controlling the drive of the fuel cell system according to the corrected concentrations.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a system for treating skin includes a handpiece assembly comprising a tip and a main body portion, the main body portion comprising an interior cavity and at least one canister configured to store at least one of a treatment material and a waste material. The treatment material and/or the waste material is in fluid communication with the tip.

Abstract: A method, system and memory are provided for enabling interoperability. A communication session between different communication systems, such as radio systems, operating using different protocols is initiated by receiving a scenario identifier from one of the user devices. An interoperability server receives the scenario identifier and accesses interoperability data to obtain the connection information corresponding the scenario matching the scenario identifier. The data includes scenarios for communication sessions and the connections required for each scenario. Once the interoperability server obtains the connection information, the communication session is initiated.

Abstract: A container (10) comprising a plurality of compartments (A, B, C) separated by compartment dividers (6), and an inlet connector (3) for receiving a liquid via a connection tube (2). The compartment dividers rupture when a sufficient pressure is applied by a liquid or gas introduced into the container (10) through the inlet connector (3). Some of the compartments comprise powder, which dissolves at the introduction of liquid into the container. A system, process and use in the field of dialysis are also disclosed.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is a fixing system for a skirting, more particularly for a skirting board, in form of a wall finish, more particularly the wall finish of a floor, comprising a joint element, the flat base wall of which is located under a panel, more particularly under the floor board, being separably connected to a skirting profile element. The joint element is an flexible element and is bent in an arch, wherein the free end of an arm of the joint element is clickway connected to the base arm of the skirting profile element.

Abstract: Methods and systems for allocating resources, such as computer controlled resources, in a networked system are described.